Kwara LG Polls: Chaos Erupts as Opposition Parties Block Voting in Offa
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Kwara LG Polls: Chaos Erupts as Opposition Parties Block Voting in Offa
By Kaosara Olayemi Oladimeji
The Kwara LG polls took a violent turn as opposition parties refused to allow voting in Offa, citing the failure of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) to provide essential materials.
At various polling units and wards visited by our correspondent, agents and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) clashed with opposition party members, leading to the disruption of the electoral process.
In one instance, a member of the APC lost his cool and attacked an opposition member with a stone at Polling Unit 006, Open Space, St Cyprian Sch 2, Shawo South West. The altercation erupted after opposition members insisted that voting should not commence until sensitive election materials were provided.
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Similar incidents were reported at Freedom Hotel, Unit 003, Pandoro polling units in Igbodun ward, Eesa wards, Ojomu North North, Balogun, and other areas, with election failing to hold in 14 out of 17 polling units.
Prominent personalities, including Senator Lola Ashiru, were unable to cast their votes due to the tense situation.
In a disturbing twist, the wife of Femi White, Political Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, attacked a journalist at Nomadic Primary School, Jango, for performing his duties.
At Igbodun 001, a male journalist was abducted for hours, and his gadgets seized for documenting activities at the polling unit.
Opposition party members have taken to major roads in Offa to protest the shoddy organization of the local government election.
The development has raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process in Kwara State.
As at press time, the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) had not commented on the developments.
The disruptions have heightened tensions in the state, with many calling for a rerun of the elections.
